Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Have a Safe and Fun Mardi Gras Celebration

Have a Safe & Fun Mardi Gras Celebration

Tens of thousands of people will be in the Soulard neighborhood this weekend for Mardi Gras.  The Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis has issued its reminder to participants and spectators about traffic details, parking restrictions, liquor laws and other regulations (see www.stlouis-mo.gov) and event organizers have their tips for revelers (see www.stlmardigras.org), but I would like to add my advice:respect property, know when to say when, and above all, have a great time with your friends and family.

Upcoming Events

Now through Mar. 2 -- Progressive Insurance St. Louis Boat and Sportshow, America's Center & Edward Jones Dome, 5 p.m.  

The 60^th Annual Progressive Insurance St. Louis Boat and Sportshow is currently underway at America's Center and Edward Jones Dome in exciting Downtown St. Louis.  The event offers outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to see hundreds of boats and marine accessories, attend educational seminars and enjoy exciting hands-on activities for the whole family.  The show will run through 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 2.  For ticket prices and more information, visit the stlouisboatshow.com web site.

Feb. 28 – Mayor's Mardi Gras Ball, City Hall, 7 p.m.

The Mayor's Mardi Gras Ball is the social event of the Carnivale season and will take place this Friday in one of St. Louis' most beautiful settings – City Hall.  The ball is a unique evening of Mardi Gras-style creative formalwear, music, dancing, food and drink.  The event benefits the Mardi Gras Foundation, which awards annual Soulard Community Improvement Grants.  For ticket information and more details, visit the mardigrasinc.com web site.

Mar. 1 – 2014 Empowerment Conference, Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School, 9 a.m.

The 2014 Empowerment Conference & Expo will be held this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School, located at 701 S. Spring Avenue in Grand Center.  Attendees will be able to learn about various volunteer opportunities, participate in free seminars on a variety of topics, and enjoy some of our area's top musical artists and poets.  Questions?  Call (314) 446-5500.

Mar. 1 – Mardi Gras Bud Light Grand Parade, steps off just south of Busch Stadium, 11 a.m.

Everyone is invited to line the route of one of the largest parades in the Midwest – the Mardi Gras Bud Light Grand Parade.  This year the parade will step off at 11 a.m. on Saturday from 7^th Street and Cerre, near Busch Stadium, and will proceed south on 7^th to Chouteau, east on Chouteau to Broadway, south on Broadway until the 7^th Street merge and finally continue south on 7^th Street until it ends at Sidney, near Anheuser-Busch.  Join the hundreds of thousands of revelers along the parade route catching beads and other trinkets tossed by float riders.  Then join in the post-parade party on the streets of Soulard, which will include culinary delights, live music and some of the best people watching of the year.  For more information, visit the mardigrasinc.com web site.

Mar. 1 -- 2014 Mardi Gras, St. Joseph Croatian Catholic Church, 11 a.m.

St. Joseph Croatian Catholic Church in Soulard will be joining in the Mardi Gras fun this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Stop by for live entertainment, hot food and cold beverages.  To learn more, call (314) 771-0958.

Mar. 2 – Silent Movie Screening, Second Presbyterian Church, 4 p.m.

The silent movie, "Safety Last!" starring cinema legend Harold Lloyd will be screened this Sunday at 4 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, located at 4501 Westminster Place in the trendy Central West End neighborhood.  Organist Andrew Peters will provide improvised accompaniment during this comedy.  Need more details?  Call (314) 376-0366.

Mar. 4 – T-Mobile Fat Tuesday Parade, Broadway & Washington, 6:30 p.m.

Get ready to catch some beads, doubloons, and Tony Chachere mixes and seasonings as you line the route of the Light Up the Night Fat Tuesday Parade in exciting Downtown St. Louis on Tuesday, March 4.  The parade will step off at 6:30 p.m. from Broadway and Washington Avenue, proceed west on Washington to 14^th Street where it will end.  Look for great food and drink specials at participating establishments supporting Fat Tuesday in Downtown St. Louis.  Need more information?  Visit the mardigrasinc.com web site.

Save the Date

March 6 – 9 – St. Louis 37^th Annual Builders Home & Garden Show, America's Center, 10 a.m.

March 7 – Free Art Exhibition, 14^th Street Artist Community, 6:30 p.m.

March 8 – Gateway Pet Guardians Adoption Event, Pets in the City, 11 a.m.

 

Promoting Your Neighborhood Activities

Is there a neighborhood event on the schedule that you would like noted in the Spotlight? If so, you may email the information about it to me at GrayR@stlouis-mo.gov or to Cathy Smentkowski at smentkowskic@stlouis-mo.gov for consideration. You may also post it on the City's Calendar of Events on the City's web site:  http://stlouis-mo.gov.  The link to submit an event is at the very bottom of the home page. The listing is free. I encourage you to take advantage of this free way to promote your event.

 

Are You Weather-Ready?

Next week, people across the country will observe National Severe Weather Preparedness Week by taking steps to ensure that they and their loved ones are prepared for severe weather whenever and wherever it occurs.  Do you know how to protect yourself, family, pets and property from severe weather?  There are actions everyone can take that can help make a difference.1) Have a family emergency plan and practice it.  2) Have an emergency preparedness kit.  3) Have at least one household member trained in first aid.  4) Keep informed as the situation develops.  To learn more about weather safety, visit the weather.gov web site.

Col. Richard Gray
Director of Public Safety
City of St. Louis